The three-times champions were fortunate not to concede a goal before Bode slotted home four minutes into the second half to the visible relief of coach Rudi Voeller.

Klose doubled the lead 10 minutes from the final whistle with his fifth goal of the tournament, after which Cameroon's discipline deserted them and substitute Patrick Suffo received two yellow cards in quick succession.

The goal calmed Germany's nerves and had the opposite effect on Cameroon, who still could not take advantage of their numerical advantage.

As the minutes ticked by, they became increasingly desperate and the game was marred by a series of stoppages as referee Antonio Lopez Nieto broke the record for the number of bookings in one World Cup match.

And after Suffo's swift departure, Michael Ballack glided down the right flank and Klose was on hand to head home his cross.